Dilatation of congenital valvular aortic stenosis using Inoue balloon

✍ Scribed by Goel, Pravin K. ;Kapoor, Aditya

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1998
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 17 KB
• Volume: 44
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0098-6569
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0304(199806)44:2<248::aid-ccd26>3.0.co;2-h

✦ Synopsis

We read with interest the case report by Goel et al. [1], wherein the Inoue balloon has been successfully used to accomplish retrograde (transarterial) balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV). We have also described this technique in our experience on versatile utility of Inoue balloon catheter for performing various interventions [2].

We further wish to share the constraints discussed by Goel et al.

[1] regarding the length of the presently available Inoue balloon catheter (70 cm) precluding its use in large-frame patients [2]. However, there are reports in the literature in which an aortic version of the Inoue balloon catheter has been successfully used to perform BAV [3], although it has not gained popularity.

Recently, we have tried to circumvent the constraints of inadequate Inoue catheter shaft length, without losing the advantages of a self-positioning and size-adjustable balloon, by using it via antegrade, transseptal route in a series of young adults (age range 14-30 years), with gratifying results and safety.

We believe that the Inoue balloon is a varsatile tool for treating various valvular and vascular stenotic lesions [2].